The office of the Philippines president, Malacanang, rejected claims that the country surrendered its sovereignty after former president Rodrigo Duterte was transferred to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

It insisted today that the Philippines remains an independent nation.

“We never intended to become a province of anything because we are an independent country,” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, as reported by the Philippines News Agency.

Her remarks were in response to Senator Imee Marcos, who questioned whether the Philippines had become a “province of The Hague”.

During a Senate hearing on Duterte’s arrest, Marcos expressed dismay over the government’s decision to allow “outsiders” to take custody of the former leader.

Malacanang maintained that the administration was simply following the law and fulfilling its obligations under established legal frameworks.

Castro (above) further explained that the government was acting under the Republic Act 9851, which grants authorities the power to surrender or extradite accused individuals in the Philippines to the appropriate international court.

Duterte is facing charges at the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his war on drugs, which took place between Nov 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019.

He is currently detained at the ICC Detention Centre in The Hague, Netherlands and is set to appear before the international court on Sept 23 to confirm the charges against him.

- Bernama

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